5 young River Parishes missionaries serve around the world

The Easter season is a time when many reflect upon the life of Jesus Christ and what we can personally do for Him. Five young men from the River Parishes chose to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as one way they can remember and serve Christ.

William Thompson, Marquise Harding, Jason Cubas, Brannan Erwin, all of Destrehan and Justin Brown of Paulina decided to put college and work on hold to dedicate their lives to serving full-time missions.

"Missionary service brings the missionary, their family, and those they teach closer to Jesus Christ," said Monica Brown, a public relations representative for the church, whose son Justin is currently serving a mission. "I have seen it in my own family."

The Church's missionary program is one of its most recognized characteristics. Mormon missionaries can be seen on the streets of hundreds of major cities in the world, as well as in thousands of smaller communities.

While serving in different parts of the world, their local church leader, Bishop J. Michael Brooks, writes a weekly email to each of these young men.

The missionaries are:

William Thompson, a current resident of Destrehan and native of Georgia, graduated Georgia Cyper Academy in 2014. He began serving his mission to Germany Berlin Mission in 2015, and will return in June. He is the son of James and Shannon Thompson.

Marquise Harding, a 2013 graduate of Destrehan High School, is the son of Clay and Amy Harding. He is currently serving a mission in the Texas Fort Worth Mission. He left in July 2015 and will return in July.

Jason Cubas, son of Allan and Tammy Cubas, began serving his mission in the New York New York South Mission in December 2015, and will return home in December. Cubas, who is serving six months in Bermuda, graduated from Bonnabel High School's Alternate Program in 2012.

Justin Brown, a 2016 Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology graduate, is serving in the Utah Mission. Brown, son of Alvin and Monica Brown, is a native of LaPlace and current resident of Paulina. Brown will return home in 2018.

David "Brannan" Erwin, is currently serving in the Idaho Boise Mission. Erwin, son of David and Darlene Erwin, graduated from Destrehan High School in May 2016 and began serving his mission six months later in November. He returns home in 2018.